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My new Colt New Army (?) with questions
quietman123
Member Posts: 92 ✭✭
Good morning. I stuck my neck out on a purchase yesterday. A local collector sold me a Colt New Army, I believe. The top of the barrel has two lines, Colt's Pt. F A MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT USA, second line patent dates of 1884 1888 1895. So far so good. Revolver is in amazing condition. bluing probably 95%. Left side of barrel has Colt D.A. 38. Now to the good stuff. I own an 1883 Cot SAA Artillery revolver with RAC (Rinaldo A. Carr) stamped on the revolver. I understand he was a civilian inspector working for the government. My new colt has his initials stamped above the left grip along with L.E.B. (have not found out who this is yet). RAC also under the barrel and on the face of the cylinder. There is no Colt logo on left side above grip. This is where the initials are. Bore is perfect. Grips are wood and in near mint condition and do have a glossy appearance. No initials on the grips. The number 1466 is on the cylinder latch and cylinder face but no where else. There is no serial number on the bottom of grip strap. I read the 1466 may be related to parts not serial number in which case there is no serial number. The cylinder locking notches are almost square rather than the rectangular ones I have seen on-line. Also, the little knob on the end of the cylinder rod (not correct name but under barrel) is smooth not checkered as others. I found an almost identical revolver on armchairgunshow.com under Colt revolvers calling it a Special order Colt New Army with unique features. This one has the checkered "knob" and rampant Colt above left grip and has a 6 digit serial number. They describe theirs as special order that used government parts. I would appreciate the thoughts of forum members. I paid $525 for this one. I am cautiously optimistic I may have done well. I can email photos but cannot figure how to post them. Is it possible this revolver started as a military gun and then had the serial number on bottom of the frame removed for some purpose? Thanks...Dan
Comments
quote:Is it possible this revolver started as a military gun and then had the serial number on bottom of the frame removed for some purpose?
Sure. The usual purpose was to avoid prosecution for theft of government equipment. Now, possession of a gun which has had its serial number removed, defaced, or altered is illegal.
IMHO, You should return the Colt to the seller and get your money back before it causes you problems.
I did not thank a gun had to have a serial # before a certain date, which I do not remember.
Firearms were not required to have a serial number until GCA 1968.
BUT, it is illegal to remove the serial number from any gun made any time that had one to start with. If Colt ever made a gun without serial number, I don't know of it.
Dan